Presentation of 2009 African Economic Outlook in South Africa

The National Treasury of South Africa and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) hosted a seminar to launch the 2009 African Economic Outlook (AEO) on Monday, 27 July in Pretoria. Staff from the AfDB Development Research Department and the OECD Development Centre jointly presented the main findings of the AEO report, which were well-received and benefited from rich discussions.

The Head of the International Economic Research Unit at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Mr. Logan Rangasamy, noted that the “AEO is an extremely useful report given data constraints on economic development in Africa.” In particular, he emphasized the advantages of having a comprehensive coverage of the continent, information presented on a comparative basis, and the availability of data electronically. Prof. Alison Gillwald, Director for the ICT Africa Research Programme, reiterated the importance of this year’s AEO message promoting ICT as a backbone for growth in Africa, and welcomed the heterogeneity in the analysis of ICT expansion as well as the comprehensive coverage of bottom of the pyramid models.

The presentation of the 2009 AEO report attracted widespread media coverage, which was led by AfDB Head of the External Relations and Communication Unit, Mrs. Antoinette Batumubwira, who was present in the event.